San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-19

eYiAc HS"o Vi halh vi INV no hoN%
died
went the old round-from the Rec
tor TO the lawyer. and from him to
Marks acquaintances. No one had
heard one word. lie was dead-Mark,
my darling.-dead, and / was alone.
There was but one thing before me-to
live my life and pray that / might join
him in Heaven.
The phase of feeling that came to me
was strange one. There were times
when IL seemed to me as III / hardly
lived in this world. / could see very
often that people looked at me as
though they did not quite understand
me. How could they, when my heart
and my senses were always with Mark
in another world?
1t was whispered from one TO another
that my lover was dead; and then to
those who cared most for me there
came a CLEAN of pity for one who had
no earthly ties.
1t was in the month of July that /
went to Westwood. Lady Yorke was
very candid with me. She told me that
the one complaint she suffered from
was enni. She was lonely; she wanted
amusement: she needed a cheerful COM
panion. She should require me to
spend the greater part of my time with
her. l must read to her, answer her
letters, send out her invitations. She
would expect me to spend my evenings
in the drawing-room, to sing when
needed, take a hand at whist. She
wrote most unreservedly to me. The
life would be tedious, she owned; but
then should have large salary and a
comfortable home. 1t mattered little
to me how / passed the remaining
years of my life; as well might it be
with Lady Yorke as with any one else.
If the lady were ill, were really an in
valid, could perhaps help to cheer her.
On the second of July-I shall never
forget the date-I found myself at the
pretty station of Woodheaton, the near
est town to Westwood. A luxurious
carriage awaited me, and enjoyed the.
drive. Every one knows how the sea
washes the fair Kentish coast. Even
amidst the odor of the flowers, the
scent of the rich clover meadows, and
the fragrance of the rose-cOvered
hedges, distinguished the sea-breeze.
The park was q beautiful undulating
expanse, full of fine old trees of every
variety of form, and carpeted with wild
flowers. The house was grand old
mansion that had been built in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth. The sun
light fell on the great gables and the
large windows. My courage almost
failed me when | saw what a magnif-
cent home mine was to be. felt some
little curiosity as to what Lady YOrke
was like. l pictured her an invalid
pale. delicate, quiet. Before long was
in her presence, and | perceived my
mistake. l saw at once that her chief
malady was due to having had all she
wanted all her life. She had never
known trouble or care. She was slen-
der woman, with dark blue eyes and
dark hair. An expression of languid
discomfort marred the beauty of her
face. There was line across her white
brow that betokened temper, and some
thing in the expression of her lips told
the same story. The room was beauti-
fully decorated and furnished. The la
dy herself was lying on a couch, doing
nothing, neither reading nor working.
She looked up with glance of relief as
l entered.
Miss Chester" she exclaimed, with
something of surprise, II am glad to see
you! | was just feeling as though did
not know what to do with myself. Pray
sit down"
Lady Yorke did not look like a per-
son who was easily amused. | took
seat as requested.
Il was greatly pleased with your ref
erenceS, Miss Chester. Madame de
Deffand tells me that you are deuOte. Is
it true?" She did not wait for an an
swer. II am glad you have come" she
continued; time hangs heavily on my
hands. May l ask for whom you are in
mOurning?"
ca, Mark, how little tina. mourning
expressed my true sorrow for you. l
felt my lips tremble when l answered.
For the gentleman to whom l was
engaged, Lady YOrke."
"How very sadl" she said, just in the
same tone in which she would have
cried, "How very pleasant" Then she
looked at me with smile. You did
not tell me that you were beauty, Miss
Chester"
81 did not know it," 1 replied. The
only voice that had ever called me beau
tiful was hushed for ever.
people of your way of thinking do
not value the gift of personal beauty,
suppose" she remarked.
1t was my turn to smile.
what do you mean by my way Of
thinking, Lady Yorker"
MADAME tells me that your thoughts
are more in heaven than on earth, she
replied.
"The man / loved is in heaven" l
said. where else could my thoughts
be?"
People are not often true to dead
love-" said Lady Yorke, calmly. For
my part, do not see much use in it,"
Truth to the dead and truth to the
living are one and the same thing"
said, with the rash presumption of one
ignorant and inexperienced. l had
known only one love and one faith
how could judge of others?
II hope that you will like your
rooms,n said Lady Yorke. ~ told
Masham, the housekeeper, to give you
the two most cheerful. They are in
what we call the Queens wing hope
you will be very comfortable, Miss
Chester. think you told me that you
had no relatives?"
NO." replied; II am quite alone in
the world"
"Ah, then" said Lady Yorke, with a
pleasant smile, 'you will be better able
to devote all your time, thought, and
attention to me"
CHAPTER v.
In few days was quite at home at
Westwood and understood my duties.
They were certainly heavy. Fortunate
ly for me, with my great love of early
rising and fresh air, they did not. COM
mence until ten in the morning. Lady
,.lyfl ,1,@ta 20 h a sa,t. NOD l<